Perfect England debut for Rodwell

Jack Rodwell hailed his England debut as "perfect" after helping them topple world champions Spain.

PUBLISHED: 12:14, Sun, Nov 13, 2011

Jack Rodwell [PA]

Jack Rodwell hailed his England debut as "perfect" after helping them topple world champions Spain.

Everton midfielder Rodwell came off the bench for the final 33 minutes of Saturday's backs-to-the-wall 1-0 victory at Wembley following his promotion from the under-21 squad. The 20-year-old insisted there was no better time or place to have made his senior bow.

"It was a perfect night all round. It's a proud moment for me. As a kid, I always dreamed of making my senior debut. So it's a dream come true," said Rodwell.

Rodwell admitted his mind was racing after being told he was coming on by manager Fabio Capello.

"But I was focused from the start," he added. "I thought to myself, 'You might get the chance to go on, so keep focused'. When I was sat on the bench, I pictured where I'd be playing and I was ready to come on."

It was a real baptism of fire for Rodwell, who went close to doubling England's lead with a lung-busting surge forward but spent most of the time chasing the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Asked what he had taken from the game, Rodwell said: "Loads. Confidence, the experience of being able to play against the likes of Iniesta and Xavi and all the big players like that. It's just a great experience for me and I just want to keep focused now and keep playing well and playing regularly for my club."

Rodwell's next taste of senior international football may be just around the corner, with England hosting Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday night.

"There's a big squad here and a lot of lads itching to play, so whatever happens happens," said Rodwell, who has a real fight on his hands just to stay in the squad ahead of next summer's European Championships once Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard return from injury.

"When they come back, hopefully we can do even better. I can't look too far ahead. I'm really pleased and I've just got to concentrate on my club form now."